Abu Qatada's neighbours furious over him adding to rat plague

Qatada's neighbours say he is as welcome back home as the rats that infest the area

They don’t want to get rid of that vermin, yet they spend thousands on another vermin, Qatada

One resident called Jim

Residents are furious that their taxes are funding the hate preacher’s lifestyle while the council refuses to pay to rid their street of rodents.

And they are “disgusted” that the justice-dodging cleric lives on handouts while families in the same street have had their benefits cut.

One resident called Jim said: “We have problems with rats but the council are now saying if we want it sorted we have to pay.

“They don’t want to get rid of that vermin, yet they spend thousands on another vermin, Qatada.”

Jim, 55, blasted Brent Council after it emerged taxpayers will cough up £100,000 a week to keep Qatada under round-the-clock police surveillance at his home in the north London borough.

“I don’t see why we should have to subsidise him,” he said. “People in this street have had their benefits cut. He doesn’t deserve benefits. I wish he would live somewhere else.”

Solicitor Donna Weisz, 50, who works nearby, agreed. “I think it’s a disgrace,” she said. “£100,000 a week? I’m sure we’ve got better things to do it with that money.

“I’m furious my taxes are funding the police to sit outside his house.”

Qatada, 52, was freed on Monday after British judges said under European laws he cannot be deported to Jordan to face terror charges for fear he would be tried with evidence gathered through torture.

But another neighbour, ex-soldier Aaron Baker, 31, said he was “disgusted and scared” Qatada was so close. He added: “Nobody would want somebody like that, with his links, in their area. He does not belong here.”